But around the East Valley, parks and recreations departments
are posting their “help wanted” signs (albeit on the Web).

Last week, Gilbert started its online recruitment for the
aquatics department. Each summer, hundreds of kids enroll in swim
lessons or swim team and more take advantage of public pools to
escape the heat.

But because of the economy, or because people just enjoy the
work, many of the 80 to 100 positions the past few years have been
filled by returning summer employees, said Gilbert’s aquatics
director Sean Carlin.

“It’s a pretty competitive process to begin with and with the
economy we seem to be holding onto part-timers a little longer.
About 80 percent are returning,” Carlin said.

Mesa’s job listings went up late last month. The parks and
recreation department hires life guards, swim instructors,
recreation assistants, pool managers and more.

Typically, about 80 people are hired, but this year that number
may be higher, said Talona Felix, a human resources analyst for
Mesa. “This summer we anticipate hiring over 100 seasonal staff
member. This number is increased from last year because we are
staffing Skyline Aquatic facility for the first time,” she said
through an e-mail.

A new city pool will open later this spring at Skyline High
School. Eligible applicants – screened by the city – will be
invited to participate in a skills test April 9.

Felix said the city may see as many as 800 applicants for
positions. Many are high school or college students, but some are
teachers seeking summer employment.

Summer camps also mean summer jobs. Boys & Girls Clubs of
the East Valley hired 25 summer employees for all their locations
last year, said spokeswoman Mindee Padilla.

“We just didn’t have enough registrations to hire more people
even though our camp is the least expensive in town. We assume it’s
because parents are at home so they’re not sending their children
to camp,” she wrote in an e-mail.

But this year, “We’re absolutely looking to hire,” Padilla said.
Job openings should be listed in April.

Private companies that pick up business in summer are gearing up
for hiring as well. Mesa’s Golfland Sunsplash will hold its annual
summer job fair on March 26. According to the website, more than
100 jobs will be open, from lifeguards to food service to customer
service admissions jobs. But don’t expect to slack off for a
“summer job” interview: Khaki pants and a collared shirt or blouse
are recommended.

Teens who want to learn about real work may get a step ahead
through Chandler’s “Leaders in Training program,” which pairs
students with city employees for six weeks.

“Teens are placed in actual work environments within the City of
Chandler and gain experience and learn about real jobs. For
example, if an applicant is interested in becoming a firefighter,
he or she would be placed with the Chandler Fire Department and
receive hands-on experience in their career of choice,” wrote
recreation coordinator Teofilo Ruiz.